What Is a Level 1 DOT Inspection?

The U.S. Department of Transportation heads several regulations that they often check to ensure truck drivers are in compliance. While their inspections can appear randomly or seem bothersome, these checks help keep everyone safe on the road. With that in mind, you may wonder, “What is a Level 1 DOT inspection, and what does it entail?”

Get a head start avoiding DOT violations by knowing about one of their most thorough driver and truck assessments. To learn more, Federal Motor Carrier Authority Online Filings also provides an FMCSA compliance checklist so your trucking company can stay in compliance.

DOT Inspections: Who, Where, and Why

As mentioned, DOT inspections ensure all trucks and truck drivers on U.S. roads comply with road management laws. These inspections have the support of several federal and non-profit agencies. You may hear from personnel working with them, including the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Sudden inspections usually occur at popular weight stations, truck stops, and even roadsides. State troopers may accompany DOT inspectors for safety and to help drivers safely pull over. Your trucks and drivers should always stay DOT-compliant to prevent legal issues with your company.

A Brief Overview of DOT Inspection Levels

The inspection procedure and severity depend on the inspection level, which ranges from one to six. Here’s what you can expect with each level:

• Level 1: Nearly a total review of the driver’s vehicle, from system functions to current records, with additional driver evaluation, including health and working hours
• Level 2: A Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection to search for topside issues or violations, not including searches underneath the truck
• Level 3: A driver-only review, including information such as the driver’s license, service hours, and the driver/vehicle inspection report (Driver/Credential/Administrative Inspection)
• Level 4: One-time examinations dedicated to reviewing a part or aspect of the truck for research purposes
• Level 5: Like a Level 1 inspection, but with a focus purely on the vehicle’s condition and registration (Vehicle-Only Inspection)
• Level 6: The Enhanced NAS Inspection for Radioactive Shipments, similar to a Level 1 inspection with an additional focus on radioactive material management

So then, what is a Level 1 DOT inspection? The North American Standard Inspection allows for the most comprehensive review of your truck’s condition, registration, and driver. This level’s 37-step process occurs the most often on U.S. roads, which protects others from potential hazards and prevents illegal cargo distribution.

What You Should Prepare for Level 1

DOT inspectors usually do Level 1 inspections more often than any other kind, requiring thorough preparation on your part. If you know what they’ll check beforehand, you can ensure you don’t skip over these points during fleet maintenance. While we include many elements of the inspection procedure, know that the list is often longer than what we provide here.

Vehicular Care

Inspectors will thoroughly evaluate the truck, looking for signs of wear and tear and failed upkeep. Therefore, you should always keep all the trucks in your fleet updated and maintained, ensuring each part functions properly, including:

• Seat belts
• Suspension
• Windshield wipers
• Windshield condition
• Fuel and exhaust systems
• All lights, including tail lamps and turn signals
• Steering, braking, and electrical systems
• All tire components, including rims, hubs, and wheel condition

Many drivers have caught potential truck maintenance violations through pre-trip checks. Making a pre-trip exam and reviewing part of your regular trip habits can help your drivers pass Level 1 inspections each time.

Driver Records

For this inspection procedure, your drivers must meet federal and state standards. To check this, they will look over several documents, conditions, and habits related to the driver, such as:

• Driver’s license
• Seat belt usage
• Service hours logs
• Medical examiner certificate
• Record of Duty Status (RODS)
• Carrier identification and status
• Alcohol and/or drug use checks
• Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certification
• Other documents required for a Driver Qualification File (DQF)

To speed up the process, your drivers should keep available and possible paperwork in their vehicles while they travel. You should update their information in your business records as often as necessary without forgetting protocol.

Improving Your Chances to Pass DOT Inspections

While inspectors don’t require that your drivers go the extra mile, doing so can improve your chances of passing. After all, what is a Level 1 DOT inspection but a way to improve road safety and management?

Cleaning the truck pre-trip and being professional and polite to inspectors and state troopers can go a long way. When added with required fuel system maintenance, not refusing a DOT inspection, and willful cooperation, your CVSA score could increase.

Connect with one of our Federal Motor Carrier Authority Online Filings representatives for DOT regulation advice, out-of-service resolutions, and more. Reach us through our chat feature or leave a message with our online form for quick turn-around times.